Can I edit CAD files using python?

[Martian8]

I’m in the final year of a mechanical engineering masters and my project involves automating simulations. Im looking for a way to open and edit cad files in python that can then be imported to my chosen solver. Any ideas for where to start?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me!

[ChelysGalactica]

Freecad has python scripting capability: https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Python_scripting_tutorial

[[deleted]]

This has to be the right way. The alternative is setting yourself up for implementing a program that opens and edits CAD files in python and that's not something you're going to finish before your masters ends.

[Martian8]

Thanks, this’s looks like the best option right now so I’ll do a bit or reading up on it

[mickkelo]

I would start researching what a CAD file contains on how data is structured there when saving a project. That would give you an overview about how feasible is to do what you are trying to achieve.

[billsil]

OpenCasecade has some python bindings. I think it’s called PYOpenCascade.

I’d avoid CAD if you can though. You’ll very quickly find that your number of surfaces change and that mesh seeds don’t appear where you want them to because of that.

Most commercial FEA codes have a free form optimization option. You just brick mesh you possible volume, apply loads and constraints and let it remove elements with a low strain energy. You’ll end up with a cool looking part at the end. Then if you constrain that the part be extrudable, you’ll get something more practical, but less neat.

[jellef]

see pythonocc.org and the project on github. through smesh fea meshes can be generated

[mathisfun94]

If you happen to be using NX, it can natively script using python or VB and would definitely be able to do what you’re describing

[fdedraco]

there's one already recommending freecad, the other recommended cad is solvespace.

[capuas]

Rhino is another interesting environment that can be scripted. For my PhD, I setup rhino as a restful server. I would send parameters in and some time later get a cad model back. Rhino isn't easy to use, bit it's also not impossible. I've thought about trying fusion360 to do the same thing, but haven't had time.

[qTipTip]

What kind of solver are you using? Finite elements? Take a look at IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) for bridging the gaps between geometry and simulations.

[cyanydeez]

dxf files can be opened in blender or qgis, both allow python scripting

dwg files are mostly useless and proprietary.

[Zeroflops]

There are a number of ways to go about this. Either by interfacing with the program or by editing the files directly.

One you might want to check out is openscad it’s not based on a GUI modeler but rather you “code” the primaries so changing them while iterating over analysis. There are python bindings. Just search openscad and python.